President William Ruto leaves after addressing a press conference at the Presidential Villa in Nairobi on July 11, 2024. [AFP]
Despite President William Ruto’s decision to cater to the demands of Gen Z, they remain adamant against anti-government protests.
The President had sought to appease the youth by refusing to give assent to the controversial Finance Bill, 2024 and sacking his cabinet except for the Chief Minister.
Gen Z is planning protests on Tuesday, with hashtags such as #TotalShutdown, #OccupyJKIA and #RutoMustGo gaining traction online. The protests highlight the widening gap between Gen Z and the government, who are demanding accountability and good governance.
Youths are particularly outraged by the reappointment of politicians previously removed from the cabinet, and the questionable allegations of a 30-year lease for the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) that was allegedly approved without due process.
Last week, Senator Richard Onyonka from Kisii called on the Senate Standing Committee on Transport to reveal details about the lease of JKIA to Indian company Adani Commercial.
“I have risen to seek a statement under Article 53(1) of the Standing Orders on the lease of JKIA under the build-operate-transfer model,” he said, stressing that the agreement includes a 30-year contract period and an 18 percent stake in the company.
Onyonkwo wrote the letter to the Managing Director of Kenya Airports Authority on Friday, which he also shared on his X handle.
The rise of these conspiracies has spawned a new determination among young people to infuriate the regime.
The protesters are now planning to block major roads including Mombasa Road, Expressway, Outer Ring Road and Airport Road to disrupt operations at JKIA. Their plans also include removing fences and marching to the airport to cause major disruption and draw global attention to their cause.
Protesters also plan to occupy various embassies in Kenya to increase pressure on the president to meet their demands.
This came after Kenyans in the US protested in front of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), blaming it for Kenya’s economic problems. They said the IMF was giving loans to Kenya on harsh terms and hindering economic planning. They also criticized the president for wasting public money on endless overseas trips that appear to have little benefit to Kenya.
Kimori Evans, a youth advocate for Generation Z, said Sunday that the president has reappointed the former prime minister because he is not listening to young people. “The president’s decision to reappoint a politician he previously fired will not be viewed well by Generation Z. The protests this week will be demonstrations of anger,” he said, reflecting deep-rooted anger among young people.
Kimoli said the president has a key role to play in addressing these issues. “The responsibility lies with the president. It is time to fight corruption, redefine the state and streamline institutions,” he said.
He highlighted the unwavering determination of Gen Z protesters, noting that they will go to extreme measures to get the government to heed their demands. “Gen Z will do anything to get the President to heed their demands. Occupying JKIA, where international guests arrive, will bring the country into disrepute. Their message is clear: they do not want incompetence and corruption in government,” Kimoli said.
Stay up to date: Subscribe to our newsletter
Nairobi resident Isaac Otieno criticized the president for nominating a former interior minister, pointing to interior minister-designate Kitule Kindiki, who was interior minister during the deadly anti-tax protests. “We gave the president a chance to redeem himself but he has shown he is deaf to our cries. We will be back in the streets,” he said.
“We will be in the streets again,” Otieno declared.
On Sunday, Azimio Party leader Raila Odinga appeared to be cornered by pressure from Generation Z and promised to prioritise justice before engaging in any national dialogue.
“I agree that justice must come first before any negotiations,” Raila said.
He outlined several key demands, including compensation for victims of police violence, dismissal of protest-related cases, release of detainees and prosecution of security force members involved in violence against peaceful protesters.
Speaking after the prayer service in Bomet, President Ruto warned Gen Z against Tuesday’s protests. He said he would “protect the nation”, adding that he had already given everyone a chance to voice their opinions.
The president said he had made some concessions, including rejecting the Finance Bill 2024, but the protests continued. “Enough is enough,” he declared.
“I withdrew the Finance Bill and called them to the negotiating table but they refused. They asked me to go to X and I went there but they ran away. I asked them to talk but they refused saying they are faceless and shapeless,” Ruto said.
The president warned that it would not be business as usual: “I told my friends that this has to end. I have given everyone a chance to speak, but this cannot continue. The country is more important than any group. We must come together as a people and defend our country,” he said.
Last week, the President called on the youth to nominate 50 delegates for a multi-sectoral forum that was scheduled to begin last Monday. The forum did not begin as scheduled after various sectors allegedly did not submit their lists of candidates.
